I'm a CJ guy. Dad got a JK few years back and is ready for small lift. It's in the dirt/farm a lot, but his philosophy is stay in 2wheel until you need 4. 4 is only used to back out and go home.

All that to say I've searched a bit and can't really find the answers.

Looking at the Tera flex BB. What is better? New shocks or stick with factory+ existintions?

35's on factory wheels. I understand a 35 12.5 calls for 7.5-9" wheel and the OEM back spacing sucks. Are all JK wheels the same size? Or do the rubi come with wider wheel then Sahara? (I know TJ had that option)

What tire can I hang on factory gate?

What tools do I need to do the BB? I can't find instruction online. Does it require spring compressor?

Jk rims are all 7.5 wide and from 16-18" a Rubicon will have 17". Going 35" on that year I would think will need a regear or "dad" wont get it out there unless in low range. Autos that year need at least 5:13 less for a manual.

The issue of using stock rims on a 12.5 wide tire have been gone over here a zillion times. spacers and having to under inflate etc....

I mean you need tools to do anything. What a Jk uses is Metric. You need metric tools. Do you need a spring compressor? No, could you use one sure. Depends on how much you are lifting the jeep UP^ or can at home.

I do not think 35"s and a BB lift is going to work out well. Just me I would not do it.

people say at 2.5 it works but I have seen people with 2.5 and 33"s rub at lock in a hard flex. if it was 35"s I bet it would catch the front flair and pull it off. those stock flairs you can pull off by hand it is that easy or any all plastic flairs. I ran 3 inch bump stops when I had stock flairs to keep from rubbing on 35"s. at 2.5 or less you going to have to lose the fenders.

No special tools.. A rachet wrench set, some open end wrenches a ft lb torque wrench, floor jack and some axle stands.

Sounds like a 2.5" BB will suit your Dad just fine. If he does plan on putting 35s on factory wheels ( they are a bit on the narrow side for my liking) then at least 1.5" wheel spacers will be required so the front doesn't rub when turning. If he still has the plastic air dam on the front he will need to trim that as well.

Also note that most manufacturers of any size tire will recommend a range of proper widths of wheels for their tires. Mine was 8" to 10" for my 35"x17"x12.5", I ended up getting 17" x 9"s.

For the stock rims and 35" tires - you'll need 1.5" spacers for those 35's, however I would not recommend spacers to just anyone who is not either mechanically inclined and/or vehicle-maintenance minded. They must be good quality, put on right, and properly maintained for safe use. My opinion - get the proper size/backspace wheels, it will save you lots of headaches. If you go down to 17's or 16's you will save about $300-$500 per inch the smaller you go for a full set of tires. There's a couple of wheels!!!

As for the lift, get the Teraflex BB with shocks and springs. I wouldn't recommend the extensions on stock shocks, but that's just my opinion.

I'm running 35's on my 2008 JKRU with a Teraflex leveling kit only, with 1.5" Spidertrax spacers. I had to trim the pinch seam and the Rubi rails, but otherwise, it's great. I have a manual tranny, and with the 4:10's it still behaves pretty well. I do notice it above 75 mph on the highway, or when pulling up large hills I need to downshift, but I like my rig this way. Until I start crawling, it's a very inexpensive starting point.